Great Depression

Black Tuesday

Occurred on October 29, 1929; the stock market crashed with 16.4 million shares sold.

Bank Crisis

Businesses couldn't repay loans, leading to bank failures. A third of U.S. banks collapsed between 1930-33, causing people to lose their savings.

Dawes Plan

U.S. loaned money to Germany to help them pay reparations to England and France, which they used to pay back the U.S.

Dust Bowl

A severe drought in the Midwest (1930-1940) that destroyed crops, leading to soil erosion.

Okie

Term for people, especially from Oklahoma, who migrated to California looking for agricultural work after the Dust Bowl.

Grapes of Wrath

A novel by John Steinbeck depicting the struggles of 'Okies' during the Dust Bowl migration to California.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

A film by Frank Capra, starring Jimmy Stewart, symbolizing political integrity in the face of corruption.

Gabriel Over the White House

A movie about a fascist president who takes control of the U.S. government to 'save' it during a time of economic crisis.

Hoovervilles

Shantytowns built by homeless people during the Great Depression, often named derisively after President Hoover, who was blamed for not doing enough.

Hobo Jungles

Temporary encampments set up by hobos (homeless, itinerant workers) who wandered the country looking for work.

Bonus Army

43,000 veterans and their families marched on Washington in 1932, demanding early payment of bonuses. They were forcibly dispersed by the U.S. Army under Hoover's orders.

New Deal

A series of initiatives, agencies, and programs proposed by FDR to support Americans and combat the Great Depression. Focused on Relief, Recovery, and Reform.

Alphabet Agencies (ABC Agencies)

A series of programs created by FDR's New Deal, known for their acronyms, aimed at economic recovery. Examples: NRA, CCC, FDIC, SEC.

Black Cabinet

An informal group created by FDR to ensure that African Americans were included in New Deal programs and policies.

Flower Sack Dresses

Dresses made from flour sacks, often worn by women during the Great Depression due to the lack of funds for new clothes.

Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act

A protectionist trade law (1930) designed to help U.S. farmers and workers but led to a trade war as other countries retaliated by raising their own tariffs.

How the Depression Spread Worldwide

The Great Depression rippled through other nations, especially those that depended on U.S. loans (e.g., Germany, France), and global markets shrank.

What Did the Army Do to Help Stop the Bonus Army?

The U.S. Army, under orders from Hoover, dispersed the Bonus Army using tanks and burned their encampments after they left.

Election of 1932

FDR ran against Hoover in a landslide victory. FDR won with 472 electoral votes vs. Hoover's 59, showing the public's desire for change.

How Did People See Hoover?

Hoover was seen as uncaring and ineffective during the Depression, leading to widespread disillusionment.

How Did People See Roosevelt?

FDR was seen as a hopeful leader who offered promises of change and support for the people during the crisis.

The Only Thing We Have to Fear is Fear Itself

FDR's famous Inaugural Address quote, offering hope and reassurance to a fearful nation at the start of his presidency.

Fireside Chats

FDR's radio broadcasts where he spoke directly to the public to explain policies, offer comfort, and dispel rumors.

FDR's First Priorities

FDR focused on the 3 Rs: Relief, Recovery, and Reform during his first 100 days in office.

Happy Days Are Here Again

The song was an uplifting anthem, symbolizing hope and a fresh start for the nation under FDR's leadership.

Hey Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime

The song speaks to the desperation of people during the Great Depression, reflecting the broken promises and the difficult reality of the time.

Relief

Immediate support for the unemployed and those in need.

Recovery

Economic growth through job programs and reforms.

Reform

Long-term changes to prevent another depression (e.g., Wall Street reform).

Opposition to the New Deal

Republicans criticized it for giving too much power to the government. Father Coughlin, a radio priest, and Huey Long, a Louisiana politician, were loud voices against it.

Court Packing Fiasco

FDR proposed a Judiciary Reorganization Bill in 1937 to expand the Supreme Court, which faced strong opposition and was seen as an attempt to increase presidential power.

Socialism, Fascism, and Authoritarian Models of Government

Due to the failure of capitalism to provide solutions to the Depression, people began turning to socialism and fascism as alternatives, where the government would have more control over the economy.

Bank Holiday

FDR declared a four-day bank holiday starting March 5, 1933, to prevent further bank failures and to restore public confidence.

CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps)

A New Deal program that employed young men to work on public projects such as maintaining forests, beaches, and parks.

FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)

Established by the Glass-Steagall Act (1933) to insure bank deposits, protecting people's savings from bank failures.

SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)

Created to regulate the stock market and prevent the kinds of practices that led to the 1929 crash.

Social Security

A program created in 1935 to provide financial security for the elderly, unemployed, and those with disabilities.

WPA (Works Progress Administration)

A New Deal program that created jobs by funding public works projects, employing millions of people.

AAA (Agricultural Adjustment Agency)

Aimed to raise crop prices by paying farmers to destroy crops or limit production.

FMP (Federal Music Project)

Part of the WPA, the FMP employed musicians to provide public concerts and other music programs.

TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority)

Created to build dams, provide electricity, and improve economic conditions in the Tennessee Valley, a region hard-hit by the Depression.

SSB (Social Security Board)

Established to administer the Social Security Act and oversee benefits for the elderly, disabled, and families.

SHA (State Housing Authority)

Worked to improve housing conditions for the poor, including low-income housing projects.

FERA (Federal Emergency Relief Administration)

Provided direct relief to the unemployed, distributing grants to states to fund soup kitchens, shelters, and jobs.